...In taking spectacular theatrical risks, reminiscent of Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood,
Takahashi doesn’t just look forward,
but backward as well, to a seemingly
lost era of fashion showmanship. - Valerie Steele, Director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Feeling thankful to all the fine folks out there working to fight fire.
These daring, brave souls not only jump out of planes into wildfire territory, they also sew and repair their own gear.
WHAT?!
Read more of Charles Post's story on the Filson blog:The Life of a Smokejumper: Wait. Jump. Fight. Repeat.

Our hearts go out to those affected by flood and fire.It feels good to give and help.Please watch this video before donating materials and remember monetary donationsmake it easier on the organizations and the victims.

That's a wrap for now.
Until next time, friends.

Get in touch with The Maker & Mender's Styleposium
​with your platform of choice:

Pictured above are naturally dyed silks to be sewn into costumes for the upcoming short film, Future Cosmos Flow,
produced and directed by Fuchsia Lin. Image courtesy of Fuchsia Lin.

Last week we learned a bit about water usage in the making of a t-shirt,
how our thoughts and words can influence water molecules,
and were introduced to the beautiful and compelling work of Fuchsia's Crystals of Transformation.

Now let's go a little further.
Hang on to your hats, for this 2 minute clip is quite sobering.
​

Thank you to the creators of River Blue
for helping us learn and acknowledge the problems we face.
Please condider these issues when purchasing new items.
Is is really needed?
Are there better options?

There are indeed safer ways of creating beautiful fabrics and
Fibershed is a great resource for learning more.
Creating dye from flowers and plants is a time-honored tradition,
​as you will see in this next video.

Not just for landscaping or bouquets!
Flowers are also fantastic dye.
Pictured here is foxglove, among others, from the artist,
Monica Paz Soldan of Tiny Textiles.
Monica happens to be one of Fibershed's first official artisan producers and worked with Fuchsia to create custom hand-dyed organic silksfor Crystals of Transformation.Read more about her work and connect here.
Photo courtesy of Fuchsia Lin.

As promised last week, more conversation
with Fuchsia on her upcoming project:
Future Cosmos Flow.This interview with the lovely and talented Susannah Mars for Artslandiawill shed more light on this beautiful project which you can help be part of!Please enjoy these beautiful photos while you listen.

Head piece for Future Cosmos Flow in process. Image courtesy of Fuchsia Lin as well as the following images.

If you're like us, you've been trying to avoid the encroaching din of holidaythis and that since Halloween.

Now that Thanksgiving has been celebrated, it feels like an appropriate time to embrace the holidays.

Assembled this week for you Makers, Menders, and Constituents of Style,the Styleposium Treasury of Gift Giving.

1. A Subscription to selvedge Magazine

Nothing but love for this beautiful, inspiring, educational periodical. Subscriptions come in a variety of options from 2 months to 3 years.

2. Merchant & Mills Tools and Supplies

15 pounds or $19.08 USD

All the necessary bits beautifully and thoughtfully packagedwithin a tin reminiscent of an Altoids container. Useful and convenient. Just one of many such items at​Merchant & Mills.

3. Colette Maker Book

$28 from the team at Colette Patterns.

​Details, details. It's all in the details with sewing. Igor Stravinsky once said,"Just as appetite comes by eating, so work brings inspiration."​The act of sewing can generate many ideas, and before you know it, you have at least 3 projects in the mix - and counting!

Keep track of said details, refer to swatches, notate your brilliant ideas and maintain an efficient inventory of supplies with this 7"x9" planner in the bag.

4. Mood Guide to Fabrics

For the novice and professional, The Mood Guide to Fabric and Fashion is a useful reference guide when considering materials.Industry tips, like textile certifications and fun facts about the history of the iconic fashion headquarters.

5. Organic Cotton Plus

Organic Cotton Throw Kit, $36.95

As a stitcher in the know, you may find shoppingfor affordable, quality home goods exasperating.

​Organic Cotton Plus is a wonderful resourcefor organic, colorgrown, made in the USA textiles and notions. This kit comes with thread, bias binding, and cozy blanket yardage toassemble yourself or give as a gift to the handy hands in your life.Gift certificates available too.

Ready, set, go! Have a good week and see you next Monday.Until then, you know the drill.

Native Fashion Now is a book and a traveling exhibit of contemporary Native fashion designers.
Currently the exhibit is in Tulsa, OK
at Philbrook Museum of Art
and will run through the first week of 2017.

​The exhibit moves on to NYC and will be at
​the National Museum of the American Indian
February 17 - September 4, 2017

Beyond Buckskin
is a wonderful resource
for Native fashion and is run
by Jessica R. Metcalfe, a contributor to the aforementioned Native Fashion Now.

Not unlike B.Yellowtail Collective,
when you shop Beyond Buckskin
​you are supporting individual Native makers,
not larger corporations
who have ripped off
traditional designs.
​

Speaking of rip-offs and cultural appropriation, we were surprised to hear the story of the Seminole nation collaborating with Florida State University to create imagery and rituals that celebrate the tribe.
Learn more below:

The Seams Podcast has many more interesting stories
at the intersection of
culture, identity, and clothing.
​Tune in at www.theseams.org

That concludes this week's edition of Styleposium!
Catch you next Monday.
Until then, you know where to find us: